Access, use and equity in health care services in São Paulo, Brazil - populational household surveys

Author(s)

Camila Nascimento Monteiro

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Medicina (FM/SBD)
• Defense date: 2016-07-29

Examining board members

Moises Goldbaum; Katia Cristina Bassichetto; Paulo Rossi Menezes; Dirce Maria Trevisan Zanetta

• Advisor: Moises Goldbaum

Abstract

Due to the implementation of Brazilian Unified Health System (Sistema Único de Saúde-SUS), the access to health care services has improved in Brazil. Since 2003, Brazil\'s National Immunization Program (Programa Nacional de Imunização-PNI) and Family Health Strategy (Estratégia Saúde da Família-ESF) have been strengthened and the Brazilian Popular Drugstore program (Programa Farmácia Popular do Brasil-PFPB) and Smiling Brazil program (Programa Brasil Sorridente-PBS) has been established. The purposes of this study are to analyze socioeconomic differences in access and utilization of health care services in followed areas: vaccination, medication, doctor appointments and dental health services in 2003 and in 2008, and changes during the period. Data from population health surveys conducted in São Paulo, Brazil called ISA-Capital 2003 and ISA-Capital 2008. Poisson regression models, logistic regression, concentration curve and concentration index were used to explore the associations between socioeconomic characteristics and access-utilization of health care services. The differences during the period of 2003-2008 were analyzed by Interaction Models. The SUS was more accessed for vaccination against influenza and pneumonia compared to private sector and there was no significant results among categories of variables studied, which suggest universality. There was large access by the population to medication and the concentration index decreased, which suggest an increase of the access to SUS by higher socioeconomic groups. The access to doctor appointments was almost universal; however, the resolution of health problem was higher in people with higher socioeconomic groups. There was an increase of dental health services use between 2003 and 2008 but socioeconomic differences in use did not decrease over time. There was no increase in dental health services covered by SUS between 2003 and 2008. The implementation and strengthening of the PNI, ESF, PFPB and PBS promoted a considerable increase in access to health care services in all socioeconomic groups. However, social inequalities in health care services use remains. This study contributes to discussion for inequalities reductions and the impact of these programs in access and use of health care services (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 12/14153-0 - Use of health service by diabetic and hypertensive patients in the city of São Paulo - 2003/2008: population-based surveys
• Grantee: Camila Nascimento Monteiro
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate